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As for it's neighbor islands, Saba was first inhabited by Amerindians called Ciboneys about 3000 years ago. They were followed by Arawak tribes coming from South America, who called the island "Siba", meaning the rock. A rock that Christopher Colombus didn't judge very hospitable, since he just sailed by in 1493. It appears that Caribs followed the Arawaks in settling on the island.But, in 1632, the first European visitors, actually shipwrecked Englishmen, reported later that the island was inhabited. In any case, recently found artifacts reveal the existence of Amerindian settlements. |
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In 1640, the Dutch West Indian Company, which had already settled on the neighbor island of Statia, brought people over to Saba in order to colonize the island. Soon after, those Dutchmen were chased away by the famous British pirate Henry Morgan. Soon, Dutch, Spanish, French and English fought for the control of the island. Meanwhile, a first village, called The Bottom, was established on a valley up in the hills. Still today, it is the administrative center of Saba. Finally, the island became Dutch in 1816 and has remained so since. And of course, like everywhere else in the Caribbean, the tragedy of slavery brought people of African descent to Saba. |
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Until those days, Saba was known as a haven for Caribbean pirates. But soon, the inhabitants, many being of English, Scottish and Irish descent, made a living as sailors and fishermen. Since men were often gone for a long time, the island got known as the "island of women"! while those fishers and sailors brought an important revenue to the island, others settled in valleys and on mountain slopes where the fertile volcanic soil created ideal conditions for agriculture. As for the women, they became famous by making socks and gloves, later Panama style straw hats, and finally lace, called "Spanish work" by locals. From of 1829, local churches started schools to educate the island's children.
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Until 1943, transportation on Saba was done by donkeys, on steep trails between the sea and the settlements on the hills. Finally, in 1943, Josephus Hassell build the road that, - so Swiss and Dutch engineers - "could not be built". Hassell simply took a correspondence course in civil engineering and started to build the road with local people. It went from Fort Bay to The Bottom, until the entire - and only island road - was finished in 1958. Now, the first cars could drive all over Saba. An airport was build in 1963 linking the island to St. Martin. Finally, the construction of a pier in 1972 allowed not only fishing boats, but also sailboats, dive boats and small cruise ships to start the cruise ship industry on Saba. |
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Visitors of nowadays Saba will discover a mixed population of European, African and Latin descent, speaking English and Dutch.Saban houses are well kept, the gardens teaming with flowers and the doors seldom locked. Everything looks a bit like coming out of a Dutch fairy-tale. The friendliness of Sabans is legendary, and everybody knows everybody in this small community. Due to the growing diving and hiking tourism, the Saba Conservation Foundation was created in 1987 in order to protect and manage Saba's natural heritage. At the same time, the National Marine Park was created, in order to protect the rich coral reefs. A large part of the island has been declared "World Heritage Site" by the UNESCO. |
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Saba is yet part of the Netherlands Antilles, an entity which will disappear in the near future. Sabans have chosen to become a public entity within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, opting for closer ties with the Kingdom. The Queen of the Netherlands is Saba's head of State, and she is represented by a Governor General. The day to day affairs in Saba are ruled by an elected Island Council. |
Photos 1-2-3-5 and 6: Courtesy of Harry L. Johnson Museum (Windwardside, Saba)
Photos 1-2-4-5 made by Kampi |
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